Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball Program Represented in the NBA Playoffs

By Jordan Falls

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 25: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Miami-Dade Arena on March 25, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 25: Cameron Johnson #2 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Miami-Dade Arena on March 25, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) /
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As the NBA playoffs have begun to get underway with play-in games, and there are several former UNC basketball players who are participating.

The college basketball season has been over for a month now for most UNC basketball fans. However, if you’re still craving basketball and want to watch the NBA playoffs, you can catch several former Tar Heels in action this postseason.

Coby White and the Chicago Bulls were part of the NBA’s play-in tournament on Wednesday, as the No. 10-seed in the Eastern Conference. White has had a successful season playing in 74 of the Bulls’ games this season and averaging 23.4 minutes per game. The Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors to earn the No. 9 seed, and they’ll face the Miami Heat for the No. 8-seed on Friday, April 14, and the right to go on to the playoffs. White played 25 minutes and scored 9 points in the game versus the Raptors on Wednesday.

The Tar Heel with the most NBA experience in the playoffs is former 2009 National Champion and three-time NBA Champion (2014, 2019, and 2020), Danny Green. He is with the 4-seed in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland Cavaliers. Green has only been with the Cavaliers this season since the middle of February. He’s played in eight games for 11.9 minutes per game. Green certainly has the NBA playoff experience and can be a valuable bench piece for Cleveland this postseason. Cleveland will begin their best-of-seven series against 5-seed New York Knicks on Saturday, April 15th.

Two former Tar Heels are on the 6-seed Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference. One-and-done Tar Heel Day’ron Sharpe and fan-favorite transfer Cameron Johnson. Sharpe has appeared in 48 games this season for the Nets averaging 11.5 minutes per game and 4.7 points per game while providing 4.5 rebounds per game too. After being traded to the Nets from the Phoenix Suns in a deal that involved NBA superstar, Kevin Durant, Johnson has played and started in all 25 games he has spent in Brooklyn. He averages 30.8 minutes per game and is second on the team in scoring with 16.6 points per game. The Nets will face off against the 3-seed Philadelphia 76ers on beginning on Saturday, April 15th.

One of the most talented UNC basketball players to come through Chapel Hill and in the playoffs this season is Harrison Barnes who is with the Sacramento Kings as the No. 3-seed in the west. Barnes was part of the 2015 Golden State Warriors NBA Championship team. He has been with the Kings since he was traded in 2019 in a deal that involved former Tar Heel, Justin Jackson. Barnes is a rarity in the NBA these days as he has played and started in all 82 games this season for the Kings. He is third on the team in minutes per game with 32.5 and fourth on the team in points per game at 15. Barnes will begin chasing another NBA Championship on Saturday, April 15th vs the No. 6-seed Golden State Warriors.

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